25 Killed, 14 Missing as Passenger Boat Capsizes in Northeastern Nigeria

Yobe: At least 25 people have died and another 14 remain missing after a passenger boat overturned on a river in northeastern Nigeria, authorities said.

The incident occurred late Saturday evening when the wooden canoe — carrying 52 people from Adiyani village in Jigawa State toward Garbi town in Yobe State — capsized on the Yobe River.

Officials from the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency confirmed that 13 survivors have been pulled from the water and are receiving medical care, while search teams continue to look for the missing.

Local police said preliminary investigations suggest the boat may have leaked mid-journey, causing it to overturn.

Residents reported that many on board were farmers, traders, and residents returning from a market day, a factor that contributed to the high number of passengers. Authorities noted that the boat may have been overloaded and that safety regulations — including bans on night travel and overloading — were ignored.

Tragically, boat accidents are frequent in Nigeria, especially in rural areas where waterways are essential for travel but vessels often lack proper maintenance and life-saving equipment. Similar disasters in past years have killed dozens of people, highlighting ongoing safety challenges.